NEBRASKA

The highest-ranked singles player from the Big 12 Conference entering the 2005 season, senior Gitte Ostermann is the most accomplished tennis player in the conference, and she belongs to the Cornhuskers. Ranked No. 19 in the country, Ostermann, a three-time All-Big 12 Conference first-team selection, is a solid candidate for Big 12 Player of the Year honors in 2005.

Ostermann won the ITA Regional championship in Tulsa, Okla., during fall season and posted a 7-1 record in singles.

“She is capable of competing with anyone in the country,” Scott Jacobson, who is entering his 15th year as coach at Nebraska, said. “She had a great fall. She’s been healthy as she’s ever been.”

Junior Pamela Castillejos has seen her stock rise during the last season. Castillejos had an excellent start to the fall season in 2004, as she won three out of four singles matches against conference opponents.

“Pamela has the all-court game and runs very well,” Jacobson said.

Jacboson said freshman Imke Reimers was the most talented recruit he had ever brought to Nebraska. Reimers possesses an all-court game as well, as evident in her style of serve and volley coupled with slugging balls from the baseline.

Senior Katie Garcia, the hometown hero from Lincoln, could fulfill the leadership role for the Cornhuskers, Jacobson said. In fact, Garcia has been named team captain for the third straight season. Jacobson expects Garcia to contribute greatly in the doubles competition.

Juniors Jennifer Cremieux and Milena Schulz-Gartner will seek more playing time in hopes of contributing in both singles and doubles. Ewelina Skaza, a junior transfer from the University of Miami (Fla.), tallied a solid exhibition in the fall season. With the talent level at Nebraska, this could be the year the Cornhuskers make a serious run for the conference title. Jacobson, who has led Nebraska to nine straight winning seasons, sure thinks so.

“The skill level is the highest it’s ever been in the 14 years I’ve been here.” Jacobson said. “We have the strength, but we got to stay healthy.”

TEXAS TECH

With programs like Texas, Texas A&M; and Baylor consistently competing for the Big 12 title, Texas Tech is sometimes overshadowed in the Lone Star State. It doesn’t help that the Red Raiders have finished eighth or worse in the conference since 1997.

“We want to increase our ranking in the Big 12,” coach Cari Groce said. “We would like to improve our regular season record as well.”

Groce, before arriving in Lubbock, Texas, led Washington State to four NCAA tournament appearances. In her second season at Texas Tech, Groce understands the nature of competition. In 2004, Groce guided the Red Raiders to 11 victories for the first time since 1998.

With four freshmen on the roster, Texas Tech is a young team with potential.

Freshman Janet Durham, Groce said, could emerge into one of the best players to ever attend the program.

“Janet’s come in and worked really hard,” Groce said. “She will be one of our top doubles player.”

Freshman Amandine Perot is expected to make an immediate impact.

“She will add depth to the team and add another solid player.”

The two remaining freshmen, Cigdem Duru and Erin Hunter, are both strong players who will seek plenty of action in 2005, Groce said. Hunter’s game includes aggressive baseline play and big ground strokes.

“Erin is picking up our system very quickly,” Groce said.

Junior Tara Browning is the team’s captain, and Katja Kovacic is a fierce competitor who doesn’t mind letting her emotions out, Groce said.

“We need to get accustomed to playing at the high level,” Groce says. “For us, preparation is going to be the key.”

OKLAHOMA STATE

In Stillwater, Okla., the women’s tennis program will experience another season of rebuilding. Last year, Oklahoma State placed 10th in the conference, 12 matches under .500. This comes just three years after the Cowgirls won a share of the Big 12 title alongside the Texas Longhorns in 2001.

“I have a very young team,” coach Julius Lubicz-Majewski, the 2001 Big 12 coach of the year, said.

In fact, Oklahoma State has lost eight players during the last two seasons, adding to the difficulty of sustaining veteran talent.

Oklahoma State’s run of five straight winning seasons came to an end last season as the Cowgirls lost seven different matches by a final of 4-3.

In 2005, Oklahoma State’s roster consists of three incoming freshmen. Expect Iryna Tkachenko to make an immediate impact. Tkachenko is an up-and-coming talent in the Big 12. Junior Sandra Blajer is developing as a player, but junior Zana Masnic will be the one to watch, Lubicz-Majewski said. Masnic, who competed at the fourth singles slot in 2004, is expected to compete at the second singles spot behind Tkachenko.

“Zana may surprise some people,” Lubicz-Majewski stated.

Lubicz-Majewski said the progress of his team in 2005 would depend on the underclassmen’s hard work.

“We are going to teach the kids of dealing with pressure, especially with a young team,” he said. “If my players try hard, that is OK with me.”